The Role Of The Christian Shepard

[Liberal Crozier]

Not too many decades ago, when popes still wore the triple tiara ( along with a religious name and a Greek Kyrie - the "crowning" ties to an Undivided Church split by schism ), bishops had gold and bejewelled croziers, amethyst rings, and episcopal regalia that highlighted all grades of Orders from special slippers to high peak mitres.

My preference was an older "t" radition - the true shepherd staff and a simple signet ring with coat of arms to literally endorse documents. As the bishop, not Ordinary, tradition has my crozier hook facing away from the people. It is like having the heir, and the spare.

The role of the Christian Shepherd is to teach the Faith without error and to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit alone as well as in Synodal conclaves. We are sworn to defend the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Faith and to faithfully administer the Holy Sacraments. More, it is a sacred responsibility to only raise persons to any grade of Holy Orders who is more than academically trained, but has discerned a Divine vocation or calling. We all have known the true pastor and the ecclesiastic mechanic. Some individuals play music, while others play notes.

When you examine all the Christian fora - from Roman Catholicism to Anglicanism to Methodism to Lutheranism to Presbyterianism - the major Reformation bodies - you might discern one or three conclusions"

1) God the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit, sent by Our Saviour Jesus Christ by God the Father, Holy Trinity, One God.....who transmutes the Gifts in an Epiklesis of the Canon...has touched the hearts of many Bishops throughout the world and has given conflicting messages to different groups concerning the questions of both women in Orders and gays and lesbians as committed Christians in all spheres of work in the Church, including the clergy....but surely given the responsibility and role of Layperson/ First Class.

TRANSLATION: THE HOLY SPIRIT NEEDS A SHRINK......HE IS BI-POLAR......

2) Unlike the Sevenfold Gifts of the Holy Spirit that allowed the Church to discern human error in the past against individuals who loved the Church and suffered at their hands, often unto death at the hands of Inquisitors, the Holy Spirit has validated the views held by Dominionists and Theocrats intent on excluding women and gays and lesbians from membership in the Body of Christ.

TRANSLATION: THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS FOR FOF, ROBERTSON AND DOMINIONISTS ONLY


3) The Holy Spirit is SHOUTING at such high decibels that everyone over the age of adolescent is unable to hear it in their hearts. It is like that new cell tone inaudible to the adult. He is sending the Charisms received at their Episcopal Consecrations to truly pray for Enlightenment, Wisdom and Courage to stand and not exclude or dishonour the commitment and faith of same-sex bishops, priests, deacons, or reformation pastors and laypersons and their children and other-constituted families of faith.

TRANSLATION: THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SHOUTING FOR CHANGE, AND ONLY WE CAN HEAR IT.

I am afraid that to many, exclusion allows them to hear only the shouting decibels of anger, fear, frustration and angst that truly deafens them to the Charismatic message for the third millennium.

Yet, sneaking into the study for just a moment on the way to and from another important bodily function, while they are both outside swimming in the pool - I truly felt moved by the Holy Spirit to confirm my belief that the Patriarchalism that informed the Church throughout the majority of two millennia has no modern significance - and the social scientific definition of the psychosexual orientation is merely awaiting theological surgery to remove homophobia and to suture the wounds suffered by our part of the Body of Christ.

Gotta get back....fast or I'll get the hook.....back to bed faster than my legs could carry me/

[Liberal Crozier]

My son had a book on the Addams Family, and today he told me before leaving for day care: " Poppa, you look like Uncle Fester" - so much for the bloating effects of steroids.

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by Liberal Crozier

My son had a book on the Addams Family, and today he told me before leaving for day care: " Poppa, you look like Uncle Fester" - so much for the bloating effects of steroids.

If I recall correctly (though I have more memory of the movie than the book), Fester was irrepressible as well as unstoppable. Perhaps your son already has a keen eye for character.

[tdogg]

Yes, and wasn't he almost always in a good mood? I liked him actually, wished he was my uncle!

[pnggrad79]

My youngest daughter's name is Kyrie. She was named after the song "Kyrie" by Mr. Mister, which came out in the 80's. Enjoyed your post.

[LGBT FLIGHT ATTENDANT]

What a pretty name for your daughter....Kyrie.....